Photocatalytic electrode and fuel cell

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an electrode comprising an electrically conductive material having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from an adsorbate material adsorbed on the surface of the electrode. The adsorbate is substantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable. The surface of the electrode can be microroughened and include, for example, a plurality of adatoms or clusters of adatoms of a metallic material. The adatoms or clusters of adatoms form sites for photocatalysis of electroreduction when the electrode is irradiated with a light source. The invention also includes a method for making the electrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell is provided including the electrode of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producingelectrical energy. Particularly, the present invention is directed to anelectrochemical fuel cell that produces electricity by irradiating anelectrode of the fuel cell with a light source.

2. Description of Related Art

A variety of fuel cell devices are known in the art for generatingelectric power. Of such devices, most include graphite anodes andcathodes comprising a finely dispersed platinum catalyst.

For example, a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) is a power generationcell which employs a porous electrolyte layer of silicon carbide matrixfor retaining concentrated phosphoric acid. The electrolyte layer isinterposed between carbon-based electrodes (an anode and a cathode) toform an electrolyte electrode assembly, sometimes referred to as amembrane electrode assembly (“MEA”). The membrane electrode assembly isthen interposed between electrically conductive bipolar plates. Theelectrolyte electrode assembly and the bipolar plates form a single fuelcell for generating electricity by reacting a fuel such as hydrogen withoxygen across the electrolyte. A single fuel cell as described generallyherein has an electrical power output of about 0.8 volts. To raise thevoltage of the electrical output, a fuel cell stack can be formed byarranging any desired number of fuel cells in electrical series on topof one another. Since the bipolar plates are electrically conductive,current flows through the stack via the end plates.

Another type of fuel cell device is a solid polymer electrolyte fuelcell which employs a membrane electrode assembly including electrodesseparated by a polymer ion exchange membrane (proton exchange membraneor PEM). Similarly, the membrane electrode assembly and the bipolarplates make up a unit of the power generation cell. Once again, apredetermined number of the power generation cells can be stackedtogether to form a fuel cell stack having a desired output voltage.

In the fuel cell stacks, a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas issupplied to the anode. The anode includes a catalyst that induces achemical reaction of the fuel gas to split the hydrogen molecule intohydrogen ions (protons) and electrons. The hydrogen ions move toward thecathode through the electrolyte, and the electrons flow through anexternal circuit to the cathode, creating a DC electric current.

The fuel cell should be operated at or near an optimum temperature forthe performance of power generation. Generally, fuel cells known in theart operate at temperatures significantly above ambient or roomtemperature (e.g., 75° F). The optimum temperature for operation canvary with each type of fuel cell system. For example, a phosphoric acidfuel cell is operated in the temperature range of 120° C. to 200° C.,and a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is operated in the temperaturerange of 60° C. to 90° C. In order to maintain the temperature of thepower generation cells in the desirable temperature range, variouscooling systems have been adopted. Typically, the power generation cellsare cooled by supplying coolant such as water to a coolant passageformed in the bipolar plates of the fuel cell stack.

Generally, fuel cells provide an environmentally clean alternative toenergy production from fossil fuel combustion. The electrochemicalefficiency of a fuel cell (currently≈65%) handily exceeds that ofinternal combustion engines (<30%). However, in spite of recentincreases in the prices of crude oil and natural gas, fossil fuelcombustion continues to hold a significant economic advantage over fuelcells. The high cost of fuel cell energy production is attributable tothe need for addition of expensive catalysts (platinum) to acceleratethe oxidation of the fuel (hydrogen) at the anode and the reduction ofoxygen at the cathode. The slow oxygen reduction reaction alone accountsfor the largest limitation to the fuel cell efficiency, even in thepresence of platinum catalyst.

The demand by dioxygen molecules (O₂) for electrons during reduction atelectropositive metal electrodes forces the electrostatic potential ofthe metal to wander negatively (referred to as a large negativeovervoltage) before giving up the electrons needed by oxygen. Becausethe output power of a fuel cell is defined by the product of the cellpotential (V) and current (I), i.e., P=VI, a drop in the potentiallowers the power output and the cell efficiency linearly. Typically, aplatinum-catalyzed hydrogen fuel cell operates at moderate currentlevels at cell voltages close to +0.75 volts instead of thethermodynamic equilibrium cell voltage of +1.23 volts. This amounts toan overvoltage of −0.48 volts below the thermodynamic voltage, thuslimiting the efficiency to near 60%. Experiments probing alternatives toplatinum catalysis of the electroreduction of oxygen continue to definea vigorous area of research. Nonetheless, platinum remains the bestknown electrocatalyst of the oxygen reduction reaction. In recent years,advances in fuel cell utility have relied upon improved methods fordispersing the platinum catalyst only at the active sites of graphiteelectrodes. The total amount of platinum needed to sustain operationalcurrents was thereby reduced, along with the overall cost of fuel cells.However, the fundamental limitation caused by the overvoltage problemstill persists.

Thus, there remains a compelling need in the art for a fuel cell that ismore electrochemically efficient than known fuel cells. There is also acontinuing need for a fuel cell system that can be operated at lowertemperatures, such as at room temperature. The present inventionprovides a solution for these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and advantages of the present invention will be set forth inand become apparent from the description that follows, as well as willbe learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of theinvention will be realized and attained by the methods and systemsparticularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof,as well as from the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied herein and broadly described, theinvention includes an electrode comprising an electrically conductivematerial having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Ramanscattering of incident light from an adsorbate material adsorbed on thesurface of the electrode. The adsorbate is substantially reducible butnot appreciably oxidizable. An appropriately reducible adsorbate wouldreduce by addition of multiple electrons, with the first electroncreating an intermediate radical anion. This roughened adsorbate-coveredmetal electrode finds utility in a fuel cell as the cathode which, whenirradiated with light, catalyzes the electroreduction of oxygenovercoming the overvoltage problem and improving the efficiency of thefuel cell. The invention also includes a method for making theelectrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode.In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell isprovided including the electrode of the invention.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the method and system of the invention. Together withthe description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the relative performance of gold, silver, and platinum inthe electroreduction of oxygen in the absence of catalysis as providedby the present invention.

FIGS. 2(a)-2(b) depict a silver surface prior to and afterelectrochemical roughening, respectively.

FIG. 3 depicts surface enhanced Raman scattering produced by arepresentative embodiment of an electrode made in accordance with thepresent invention when the electrode is irradiated.

FIG. 4 depicts the photocurrent and its dependence on the appliedvoltage of an electrode made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts the performance, as a function of excitation wavelength,of an electrode made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts the sustainability of photocurrent produced in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts the electroreduction of several materials that can bephotocatalyzed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 further depicts the performance of an electrode made inaccordance with the present invention relative to the materialsillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 depicts the performance of another embodiment of an electrodemade in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict plan, top and exploded side views, respectively, ofan exemplary embodiment of a fuel cell made in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment of a fuel cell made in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts yet another embodiment of a fuel cell made in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The method and corresponding steps of theinvention will be described in conjunction with the detailed descriptionof the system.

As mentioned above, in conventional fuel cells, the demand by dioxygenmolecules (O₂) for electrons during reduction at electropositive metalelectrodes forces the electrostatic potential of the metal to wandernegatively (referred to herein as a large negative overvoltage) beforegiving up the electrons to oxygen.

FIG. 1 compares the reduction of oxygen at silver and platinumelectrodes without benefit of the invention described herein. Theseresults are provided to demonstrate the relative catalytic behavior ofplatinum compared to silver prior to the application of thephotocatalysis described herein. For FIG. 1, the electrode area is 0.15cm².

Without the benefit of the invention described herein, silver is not asattractive as platinum for use in a fuel cell cathode. Specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 1, when compared to the thermodynamic voltage foroxygen reduction of 1.23 volts vs. a Normal Hydrogen Electrode (“NHE”,described below), oxygen reduction at platinum commences near +0.75volts, at silver near +0.35 volts. and at gold near +0.25 volts.Equivalent current densities for oxygen reduction at gold, silver, andplatinum are observed when platinum is polarized near +0.25 volts moreanodic than silver, and 0.35 volts more anodic than gold, highlightingthe catalytic performance of platinum, though nonetheless stillrequiring at least a half-volt overvoltage below the thermodynamicvoltage. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, silver begins to oxidize inthe perchloric acid medium near +0.80 volts while platinum and goldbegin to oxidize near +1.1 volts. Thus, even with complete removal ofthe overvoltage for oxygen reduction at silver, silver is limited by itsown oxidation to commence reduction of oxygen at voltages no morepositive than +0.80 volts, i.e., effectively matching the utility ofplatinum.

By using electrodes as disclosed herein, fuel cells can be constructedthat largely reduce the requirement for the overvoltage in the reductionof oxygen. This permits operating a device such as a fuel cell near orat the thermodynamic equilibrium cell voltage of +1.23 volts, limitedonly by the oxidation potential of the particular metal used for thecathode. When using the invention provided herein, as will be shown anddescribed, the use of silver and other particular metals as cathodesbecomes very attractive.

Moreover, the cost of silver is less than 1/100^(th) that of platinum sosilver's utility in fuel cell energy production is commerciallyattractive as well. Furthermore, other metals, particularly gold, whoseoxidation potential (E°=+1.498 Volts) is above the thermodynamic voltagefor oxygen reduction, show promise for defeating the limitations causedby the electrode oxidation potential though sacrificing the extremeeconomic advantages of silver.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, an electrode is provided. Theelectrode includes an electrically conductive material having aroughened surface. The surface is roughened such that the surface iscapable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering from moleculesadsorbed on the electrode surface. Suitable adsorbates are described indetail below. When incident photons interact with the adsorbate-coveredmetal surface, they inelastically scatter such that energy is eithergained or lost by the photons. The scattered photons are shifted infrequency accordingly. This inelastic scattering is called Ramanscattering. The intensity of the Raman scattered light from adsorbatesat appropriately roughened metal surfaces is enhanced over that expectedfor the low surface concentration of adsorbate, hence the label “SurfaceEnhanced Raman Scattering” or SERS. While there is some debate in thescientific community as to the precise structural features of a surfacethat are needed to generate SERS, experiments have shown thatelectrochemical roughening, for example, can produce this effect. Asdescribed herein, it is believed that other types of surface treatmentscan also produce surface enhanced Raman scattering from adsorbatemolecules. Thus, a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Ramanscattering from adsorbate molecules is intended to refer to all suitablesurfaces known to those of skill in the art capable of producing Ramanscattering.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an electrode is providedmade from a conductive material with adatoms or clusters of adatoms ofthe material formed on the surface of the electrode.

For the purposes of illustration and not limitation, in accordance withone aspect of the invention, an electrode is provided having a roughenedsurface including a plurality of adatoms or clusters of adatoms of ametallic material deposited on electrically conductive material. Anadatom is generally characterized as an atomic scale defect, such as onthe surface of the electrode. A reducible adsorbate material is appliedto the surface of the roughened electrode by dipping the electrode intoan appropriate solution containing the adsorbate material. Whenirradiated with light, the adsorbate-treated electrode can continuouslydeliver reducing equivalents (i.e., electrons) to oxygen, or any otheravailable reducible material via photocatalysis. Such an electrode canbe used in a variety of applications, such as in an electrochemical fuelcell.

The electrode can be provided wherein the conductive material and thematerial of the adatoms or adclusters can be made from the same ordifferent type of conductive material. Preferably, the clusters areformed from a metallic material selected from the group consisting of(in order of increasing oxidation potential) silver, osmium , palladium,iridium, platinum, and gold). In addition, use of suitable alloys and/ormixtures containing one or more of these metals as a cathode is alsowithin the scope of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, one way to form asurface having adatoms or clusters of adatoms as described herein thatis suitable for irradiation to initiate photocatalysis, the material tobe treated can be immersed in a liquid chloride medium. In accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the invention, silver is used as theelectrode material. The silver electrode can be modified with anoxidation-reduction cycle as described in D. L. Jeanmaire, R. P. vanDuyne, J. Electroanal. Chem. 84, 1-20 (1977), which is incorporated byreference herein to create the active clustered silver sites. Afterimmersion in the chloride medium, a positive voltage is applied acrossthe silver through the chloride medium, which causes silver to oxidizeand form solid AgCl. The current is then reversed, causing the silver insolution to deposit back on the surface of the electrode.

Atomic force micrographs (“AMF”) of an exemplary silver electrodesurface, that has been subjected to this oxidation-reduction cycle, areprovided in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) and reveal the roughness generated bythe cycle. Specifically, FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) depict a 10 micron×10micron section of a silver electrode surface before and after suchelectrochemical roughening, respectively. In FIG. 2(A), the electrodewas polished with progressively finer aluminum oxide powders down to0.05 microns, rinsed with distilled water and air-dried prior to the AFMscan. In FIG. 2(B), an electrode surface area of approximately 1 cm² wasoxidized by polarizing the electrode to near +0.100 Volts (vs. anAg/AgCl reference electrode) in an aqueous 0.10 M NaCl solution suchthat a current of 5 milliAmp was allowed to pass for ten seconds. Thenthe electrode was polarized to −0.500 Volts (vs. an Ag/AgCl referenceelectrode) to reverse the oxidation. The accompanyingoxidation/reduction reaction is:Ag+Cl⁻

AgCl(s)+1e ⁻The electrode was then rinsed with distilled water and air dried beforerecording the AFM shown.

It will be appreciated that this operation can be performed with anelectrode made from silver or other conductive material that is platedwith silver, such as a silver plated copper electrode. Materials havinga surface suitable for use as an electrode as described herein arecommercially available. For example, a porous silver membrane materialsold under the name “Silver Metal Filter Membranes” available fromSterlitech™ Corporation (22027 70th Ave. S., Kent, Wash. 98032-1911 USA,Tel: 877-544-4420; www.sterlitech.com) can be used. In the context of afuel cell, the porous silver membrane provides the required liquid/gasinterface between the reactant gas and the moist polymeric electrolytemembrane (PEM) while, at the same time, providing a large surface areathat can be made active by the procedure of roughening and coating withadsorbate as described above. The porous silver membranes provide theadditional advantageous property of supporting transmission of therequired light deep into the cathode via pores, of diameter greater thanthe wavelength of light used, that act as light pipes. Such a filtermaterial can be coated with other materials such as gold, etc., such asby electroplating, vapor deposition, underpotential deposition, sputtercoating, and the like to take advantage of the properties of thosematerials. Manufacturing other metals into similar porous membranesappropriate to applications in fuel cells is also within the scope ofthe invention.

Generally, methods for creating or treating metal surfaces, such as theelectrochemical roughening discussed above, nanofabrication, chemicalvapor deposition, sputtering and plasma enhanced chemical vapordeposition, for use in surface enhanced Raman scattering (“SERS”)experiments yield the characteristic roughness suitable for use as anelectrode material.

The role of roughness in enhancing surface Raman intensities continuesto incite debate among researchers. A prominent theory connecting theprerequisite roughness to the mechanism of enhancement of surface Ramanintensity is referred to as the chemical enhancement mechanism. Thismechanism is based on a photon-assisted electron transfer between themetal and molecules adsorbed onto atomic scale roughness features (e.g.,adatoms), of the metal surface. Resonant coupling between the wavelengthof incident radiation and the energy difference between the metal andadsorbate electronic states promotes enhancement of the Raman scatteredlight intensity. It is well understood that the electronic states of themetal and the adsorbate, that are coupled in this photon-driven chargetransfer, can be delocalized by mixing with electronic states of nearbymetal atoms in the conduction band system of the metal, rendering theresonant enhancement negligible. However, at atomic scale roughnessfeatures such as adatom surface sites, the absence of neighboring metalatoms promotes the localization of the charge transfer excitation andfacilitates resonance Raman intensification.

By analogy to this surface Raman enhancement mechanism, photon-drivenexcitation of an electron from a metal adatom surface site to anadsorbate at that site can be expected to yield a radical anionadsorbate that is long-lived because of the absence of a decay mechanismthrough the conduction band system of the metal substrate. Thisextension of the lifetime of radical anion adsorbate at adatom roughnesssites assures the availability of electrons for oxygen reducing at thosesurface sites as described herein. Using these technologies, materialssuch as silver, osmium, palladium, iridium, platinum, and gold (oralloys containing one or more these metals) can be deposited on a baseconductor to form adatoms or clusters of adatoms of those materials thatare suitable for use as an electrode made in accordance with theinvention.

Electrochemical roughening of gold in a chloride medium, for example,using a procedure similar to that discussed for silver above, has beendemonstrated to yield the micro-roughened surface required forobservation of SERS using gold, making gold suitable for use as anelectrode as described herein. Ordinarily, oxidation of gold in chloridecreates soluble gold chloride (AuCl₄ ⁻) unlike silver which forms aninsoluble silver chloride (AgCl) precipitate at the surface. Dissolutionof gold chloride during oxidation limits the roughness attainable duringsubsequent reduction of gold chloride and deposition of gold because theprocess is diffusion limited allowing time for migration of adatomsfilling surface defects. To limit dissolution of the gold material andto form the microroughness required, multiple rapid oxidation-reductioncycles are performed. A detailed description of this process is known inthe art and is described, for example, in Gao, Ping; Gosztola, David;Leung, Lam Wing H.; Weaver, Michael J. “Surface-enhanced Ramanscattering at gold electrodes. Dependence on electrochemicalpretreatment conditions and comparisons with silver”. Journal ofElectroanalytical Chemistry and Interfacial Electrochemistry (1987),233(1-2), 211-22. which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

In further accordance with the invention, an adsorbate is provided forapplying to the surface of the electrode.

For purposes of illustration and not limitation, a variety of materialscan be used as an adsorbate in accordance with the invention. Generally,the adsorbate is a material that is reducible whereby that reductioninvolves more than one electron, with the first electron delivered tothe adsorbate creating a radical anion intermediate.

Unsaturated organic adsorbates that typically reduce higher ordercarbon-carbon bonds via acceptance of two electrons and two protonsserve as suitable adsorbates for the photocatalysis of oxygen reduction.As described in J. J. McMahon, T. J. Gergel, D. M. Otterson, C. A.McMahon, R. M. Kabbani, Surface Science 440(3), 357-374 (1999)],Applicant previously discovered that upon irradiation oftrans-4-stilbazole,

adsorbed at a silver electrode, surface atomic oxygen wasphotochemically incorporated into the molecule. The source of atomicoxygen was the reduction of dissolved O₂. However, after a short periodof operation, the electrode ceased to photocatalytically reduce oxygendue to photochemical formation of 4′-hydroxy-trans-4-stilbazole

on the surface of the electrode. Thus, this work did not result in asystem capable of providing continuous electrical current from reductionof oxygen.

Nonetheless, an investigation was undertaken to determine if anyabsorbates existed that could facilitate continuous delivery of reducingequivalents (i.e., electrons) to a reducible material like oxygen froman irradiated electrode. The results have been surprising. As describedherein, adsorbates have been discovered that continuously deliverelectrons to oxygen or other reducible material from anadsorbate-covered electrode that is irradiated.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an organic moleculecan be used for the adsorbate. The characteristics of an organicadsorbate that can support photocatalytic reduction of oxygen (or otherreducible material) are those that are reducible with more than oneelectron per molecule without being photochemically altered during theprocess of irradiating the cathode. Additionally, the active adsorbatewould be required to remain attached to the electrode surface at theoperating temperature of the cell either though physisorption orchemisorption.

For purposes of illustration and not limitation, bis-pyridyl acetylene(“BPA”) can be used as the adsorbate.

The use of BPA as an adsorbate is described below in detail in ExampleI.

Generally, the adsorbate is applied to the surface of the electrode bydipping the electrode in a solution containing the adsorbate. Theadsorbate is then adsorbed at the surface of the electrode, withadsorbate at the adatom or adcluster roughness features at the surfacedefining the surface active sites.

Observed photoreduction current densities vary with the adsorbateemployed. Further, it has been discovered that significant improvementin photocurrent density accompanies replacement of the organic adsorbatewith an inorganic adsorbate that shares the reducible characteristic ofactive organic adsorbates. The range of applicable inorganic adsorbatespreferably includes materials whose standard reduction potentials aresmaller (more difficult to reduce) than that of oxygen at the samesolution pH, i.e., below E°=1.23 V at pH 1.0. For purposes ofillustration and not limitation, some examples are bromine (E°=1.087 V),iodine (E°=0.536 V), astatine (E°=0.30 V). Iodine, for example, hasdemonstrated oxygen photoreduction currents that are 100-fold greaterthan those observed when the organic BPA was used as the adsorbate. Inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, as describedbelow in Example II, Iodine is used as the adsorbate.

EXAMPLE I Silver Electrode Having Bis-Pyridyl Acetylene (“BPA”)Adsorbate

FIG. 3 depicts performance of bis-pyridyl acetylene (“BPA”) as anadsorbate. Specifically, FIG. 3 depicts the surface enhanced Ramanspectrum of BPA adsorbed at a silver electrode as a function of appliedpotential. An Argon ion (Ar⁺) laser was operated at 5145 Å and 50 mW toproduce the resulting spectrum. The voltages in FIG. 3 are reportedrelative to a Ag/AgCl reference electrode in 0.1 M NaCl. The spectrumrecorded at −0.10 Volts compares with the normal Raman spectrum of BPA,while the spectra observed in the range −0.50 to −0.90 Volts areassigned to the radical anion of BPA, i.e., BPA⁻. The assignment of theproduct of electroreduction of BPA to its radical anion was made after(1) comparing the cyclic voltammogram with potential-dependent changesin the observed surface enhanced Raman spectrum, (2) vibrationalanalysis of those spectral changes, and (3) recognizing that thespectrum reported at −0.10 Volts was recovered upon return to thatvoltage following a voltage excursion to −0.90 Volts.

The inset of FIG. 3 depicts a cyclic voltammogram of BPA at silver in anitrogen-saturated, aqueous solution of BPA in 0.1 M NaCl. As can beseen, as the applied voltage is made more cathodic, electroreduction ofBPA is observed, with concomitant changes in the observed surfaceenhanced Raman spectrum. Loss of intensity at 2230 cm⁻¹ (assigned to asymmetric stretch of the triple-bonded acetylene bridge) beginning at−0.5 volts (vs. Ag/AgCl), as the voltage moves negatively, signals lossof the triple bond upon electroreduction of BPA. The reduction isreversible, with triple bond 2230 cm⁻¹ line reappearing upon return tomore anodic (less negative) voltages. The demonstrated reversibilityexcludes assignment of ethylenic or ethanic reduction products; both ofwhich do not oxidize back to BPA in this voltage range.

These results direct assignment of the reduction product to the radicalanion BPA(−). The stable radical-anion intermediate in the reduction ofBPA signals the availability of a vacant energy level in neutral BPAthat can be filled via a photon-driven metal-to-adsorbate electrontransfer.

In further accordance with the invention, the adsorbate treatedelectrode surface is irradiated with light to photocatalytically reduceoxygen. When the BPA-covered electrode is irradiated in the presence ofdissolved oxygen, the rate of oxygen reduction is increased even atapplied voltages positive of both the BPA and the oxygen reductionpotentials. This increase in oxygen reduction current upon irradiationof the cathode was observed by monitoring the cell current as a functionof time while admitting light through a computer-controlled shutter. Asshown in FIG. 4, the oxygen reduction current increased during theperiod that the shutter was open, allowing irradiation of the cathode.

Cyclic voltammetry in the oxygen reduction region is depicted in FIGS.4(A) and 4(C) for oxygen-saturated (upper curve) and nitrogen-saturated(lower curve) solutions of 0.1 M NaCl. With the potential held asindicated by the arrows in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(C), photocurrentmeasurements were made by opening a shutter allowing the laser light(5145 Å, 50 mW) to irradiate the BPA-covered surface (area≈0.11 cm²)between 4 and 8 seconds. As depicted in FIG. 4(B), at −0.25 V, whereoxygen reduction proceeds uncatalyzed (note the increased baselinecurrent), the photocurrent increased steadily while the light was onindicating warming by the laser. As depicted in FIG. 4(D), at −0.15 V,where oxygen reduction does not proceed without photocatalysis, thephotocurrent remains steady or decreases while the light is on, in spiteof surface warming by the laser. A low or non-existent energy barrier tothe photo-assisted electron transfer is indicated by these results andhighlights the catalytic advantage of the method. Voltages in FIGS. 4(A)and 4(C) are reported relative to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode in 0.1M NaCl.

For purposes of illustration and not limitation, as embodied herein,light is applied to an adsorbate-covered electrode to generateelectricity through the electrode when the electrode is exposed tooxygen, such as when the electrode is used as a cathode in anelectrochemical fuel cell.

From the BPA surface enhanced Raman results reported herein, and theobservations for stilbazole reported earlier, it is believed thatabsorption of light initiates photocatalysis by causing ametal-to-adsorbate electron transfer from the metallic (e.g., silver)substrate to the adsorbate. The result is a radical anion(−) adsorbatewhich readily gives up its excess electron to oxygen, considered therate-determining step in oxygen reduction in a fuel cell. Thisphotocatalytic electron transfer defeats the overvoltage limitationsnormally associated with electropositive metal electrodes by creating anegatively charged surface active site that acts as a source ofelectrons to oxygen.

It has been further discovered that the process of irradiating thesurface warms the surface. This was observed (See FIG. 4) by noting thatthe current from uncatalyzed oxygen reduction (at its usual overvoltage)increases during the period of irradiation. As is well understood, thespeed of reactions that are hindered by an activation energy barrierincreases when those reactions are warmed. Conversely, the currentassociated with photocatalyzed oxygen reduction remains steady duringlong irradiation periods, in spite of the warming known to occur at thesurface. These results are characteristic of reactions with little or noactivation energy. Apparently, the transfer of electrons to oxygen viaphoto-induced electron transfer from the anionic adsorbate proceedswithout any appreciable activation energy barrier, i.e., near perfectcatalysis.

Because the photon-driven electron transfer couples metal and adsorbateelectronic states, as described above, the appropriate range ofphotocatalytic excitation wavelengths is dependent upon both the metalsubstrate and the adsorbate used. For BPA adsorbed at silver, forexample, excitation wavelengths shorter than 6000 Angstroms have beenshown to be effective in photocatalysis of oxygen reduction as depictedin FIG. 5.

It can be expected for other metal-adsorbate systems that as theseparation between the vacant adsorbate electronic state (defined by theadsorbate electron affinity; E.A.) and the filled metal electronic state(defined by the metal ionization energy; I.E.) gets smaller thethreshold wavelength for photocatalysis$\left( {{{where}\frac{hc}{\lambda_{threshold}}} = {I.E.{- {E.A.}}}} \right)$may advance further to the red or near infrared region of the spectrum.In accordance with one embodiment, visible light is used for thesilver-BPA system. Preferably light having a wavelength shorter thanabout 6000 Angstroms can be used to irradiate the electrode. Inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention, light having awavelength of 5145 Angstroms is provided using an Argon ion laser. Otherlight sources, including sunlight, can also be used.

That the photocatalyzed reduction of dissolved oxygen can be sustainedso long as the oxygen supply is refreshed is shown in FIG. 6. Forpurposes of illustration and not limitation, a BPA-covered silverelectrode was irradiated with 5145 Å light while continuously bubblingoxygen through the cell for a ten minute period during which the oxygenreduction current attained a steady state level after initialconcentration polarization. The photocurrent reached a steady state thatis proportional to the rate at which bubbled oxygen reached theelectrode over time.

The photocatalysis has been further discovered not to be limited tooxygen reduction alone but to extend to other reducible material insolution. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, theelectroreduction curves for oxygen [O₂, (___)], potassium ferricyanide[K₃Fe(CN)₆, ( . . . )], iodine [I₂, (___)], andbis-1,2-(4-pyridyl)acetylene [BPA, (- - - )] are compared in FIG. 7. AnAg/AgCl reference electrode was used in conjunction with obtaining theresults depicted in FIG. 7.

Concomitant photocatalysis of the reductions of oxygen, iodine, andpotassium ferricyanide at BPA-covered silver are shown in FIG. 8.Specifically, FIG. 8 depicts measurements of photocurrent associatedwith reduction of oxygen (0.1 M NaCl solution saturated initially bybubbling O₂ but bubbling was stopped during measurement), iodine (5×10⁻⁴M in 0.1 M NaCl), and ferricyanide (1×10⁻³ M in 0.1 M NaCl). Dissolvedoxygen was scrubbed from the solutions of iodine and ferricyanide bybubbling nitrogen gas through the electrolyte for 30 minutes prior tomeasurement then the bubbling was stopped just before measurement. Thesilver working electrode (0.15 cm² area) was anodized ex-situ in 0.1 MNaCl for 50 mC per cm² at +0.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) then returned to −0.15 Vfor the purposes of preroughening. The silver was then dipped in a5×10⁻⁴ M BPA solution for 10 minutes to adsorb BPA to the silversurface. Excess solution and non-adsorbed BPA were then removed byrinsing in distilled water prior to admission to the electrochemicalcell.

That the observed photocurrent is a direct result of reduction ofsolution species is confirmed by correlation between the rates ofdrop-off in the current during the irradiation period, corresponding toconcentration polarization and diffusion limited current, and therelative diffusion coefficients of oxygen, iodine, and potassiumferricyanide. As depicted in FIG. 8, the more rapid decay inphotocurrent during irradiation correlated with the smaller diffusioncoefficient of the reductant.

EXAMPLE II Iodine Adsorbate Applied to Silver Electrode

As depicted in FIG. 9, irradiation of an iodine adsorbate-covered silverelectrode caused immediate and sustainable reduction current when oxygenwas continuously bubbled through an experimental cell.

In FIG. 9, the silver working electrode (0.15 cm² area) was anodizedex-situ in 0.1 M NaCl for 50 mC per cm² at +0.15 V then returned to−0.15 V for the purposes of preroughening. The silver was then dipped ina 5×10⁻⁴ M aqueous I₂ solution for 10 minutes to adsorb iodine to thesilver surface. Excess solution and non-adsorbed I₂ were then removed byrinsing in distilled water prior to admission to the electrochemicalcell. (5145 Å Ar⁺, 100 mW, oxygen saturation maintained by bubbling O₂through the 0.1 M NaCl electrolyte, V=−0.075 V).

The inset of FIG. 9 depicts the photocurrent measurement during thelight off/on/off cycle. The cyclic voltammetry (□: light off, ●: lighton) reveals reduction of oxygen at least 0.2 V more positive with thelight on. Photocurrent levels for the iodine adsorbate are approximately100 times higher than those observed for BPA-covered silver undersimilar surface preroughening conditions.

The extent of the catalysis, with oxygen reducing better than 0.2 voltsmore positive at the irradiated electrode than at the dark electrode(FIG. 9), when applied to technologies such as fuel cells, would beequivalent to an increase in efficiency from 65% to better than 81%. Itis again believed that absorption of light initiates photocatalysis bycausing a metal-to-adsorbate electron transfer from the silver substrateto the adsorbate. The result is a radical anion(−) adsorbate, I₂ ⁻ inthe case of iodine, which readily gives up its excess electron to oxygenaccelerating what is considered the rate-determining step in oxygenreduction.

The result in this Example II, and in Example I, while clearlyovercoming the overvoltage limitations of electropositive metalelectrodes, reveals comparatively modest increases in electroreductioncurrent, as depicted for example in FIG. 9, owing to the limited numberof active sites at surface of the bulk silver electrode used in theseexperiments. These results are not unlike the limitations associatedwith platinum dispersion at graphite. It can be expected thatphotocatalyzed electroreduction current levels will increase atelectrodes that support a greater number of surface active sites (e.g.,adatoms or clusters of adatoms). As discussed in the Stilbazole report,these sites are believed to be Ag⁺ surface sites. It is an object of theinvention to provide increased numbers of surface sites to supportgeneration of greater amounts of electric current. As mentioned above,“Silver Metal Filter Membranes” available from Sterlitech™ Corporation(22027 70th Ave. S., Kent, Wash. 98032-1911 USA, Tel: 877-544-4420;www.sterlitech.com) offer such a surface. A 47.0 mm diameter silvermembrane of 0.508 mm thickness with an average pore size of 0.2 μmsupports an effective surface area of 54,300 cm², compared to anapparent surface area [πr²=π×(4.70/2)² cm²] of 17.3 cm². In this reportwe have demonstrated (FIG. 9) photocurrents of 6 uAmp at a bulk silverelectrode surface area of 0.15 cm², or photocurrent densities of 40uAmp/cm². Scaling up to the effective surface area of the 47 mm diameter(0.2 μm pore size) silver membrane allows prediction of possiblephotocurrent densities of better than 2 Amp per effective surface area,or (2 Amp/17.3 cm²=) 125 mAmp per cm² of apparent surface area). In arecent U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcemententitled “Research and Development of Fuel Cell Technology for theHydrogen Economy” [Announcement DE-PS36-06GO96017.] DOE established the2010 Technical Target for the specific activity of fuel cellelectrocatalysts (Table 2 in the DOE Announcement) at 0.720 mAmp/cm². Aswill be recognized by those of skill in the art, the prediction above(125 mAmp/cm²) relies upon assumptions of adequate access of adsorbateand light to the available surface area.

Fuel Cell Construction

Photocatalysis using an adsorbate-covered electrode made from a materialsuch as silver thus presents a promisingly efficient alternative to therequirement for expensive platinum catalysts at fuel cell cathodes.

In further accordance with the invention, adsorbate treated electrodesas described herein can be used to construct a novel fuel cell structurefor producing electric power.

For purposes of illustration and not limitation, embodiments of a fuelcell structure are described herein. Fuel cells as described herein beara number of similarities to those known in the art. However, there arecertain unique differences.

Contemporary fuel cells hide the cathode below a graphite gasdistribution layer, a layer that serves as the cathode terminal whileuniformly distributing oxygen to the entire surface of the cathode andmanaging removal of water generated in the reaction. Primarily, a fuelcell as described herein requires irradiation of the cathode to operate.Since the cathode must be irradiated, the gas distribution layer commonto fuel cells known in the art must be modified or removed in favor ofaccess of light to the cathode such as via an optical flat glass orother transparent or light conducting material.

Further, modern fuel cells make use of porous graphite paper (or cloth)that supports the dispersed platinum catalyst. The porous graphiteserves as the throttle necessary to maintain a liquid/gas interfacebetween an electrolyte, such as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) solidelectrolyte layer, and the oxygen gas. Diffusion of protons through thegraphite pores, into the PEM layer, and across to the cathode completesthe circuit. The cathode of a fuel cell described herein differs fromthose known in the art by being made from a conductive materialincluding an adsorbate applied thereto as described above. In accordancewith one embodiment, a porous photocatalytic material such as silver isemployed that doubles as a gas distribution layer and cathode terminal.

While conventional PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cells operatenear 80° C. to accelerate the reaction kinetics, a photocatalytic fuelcell made in accordance with the teachings herein can operate optimallyat ambient temperature (e.g., 75° F.).

Silver can be manufactured, actually covalently synthesized, to formporous membrane filters. These filters can thus serve as the catalyst(when irradiated), and as a porous support of the oxygen-PEM interface.Pores of diameter greater than the wavelength of light used to irradiatethe cathode can serve as light pipes deep into the porous silvermembrane and increasing the active surface area. There is no need for agas distribution layer since the porous silver layer is a metal thateasily serves as the cathode terminal.

In accordance with the teachings herein, a fuel cell is operated byadmitting oxygen gas into a cavity between the (e.g., silver) membraneand the light source needed for irradiation of the adsorbate coatedsilver cathode. The porous membrane can also provide an exceptionallylarge surface area to support large numbers of surface active sites.

An exemplary embodiment of a fuel cell made in accordance with theteachings herein is depicted in FIGS. 10(A)-10(C). As depicted, fuelcell 100 is adapted and configured to fit into the sample chamber of aJobin Yvon U1000 Raman Spectrometer to facilitate laser irradiation ofthe cathode and testing. As depicted, fuel cell 100 includes an anode110, a porous silver cathode 120, a proton exchange membrane 130, agraphite gas distribution layer 140 proximate the anode 110, and firstand second metallic end plates 150, 160 including a hydrogen gas port152 and an oxygen gas port 160. An optical flat glass 170 is alsoprovided which, when irradiated with a laser, directs light towardcathode 120 to initiate photocatalysis. A plurality of o-rings 180 areprovided for sealing. An aluminum mount 190 is provided into which fuelcell 100 is mounted. Humidified reactant gases are piped into fuel cell100 with the flow rate and pressure controlled by a back-pressureregulator (not shown). Electrical leads (not shown) are attached to theanode 110 and cathode 120, respectively, of fuel cell 100 for conductingelectricity produced to a load (not shown).

Proton Exchange Membrane 130 can be a Dupont Nafion™ 115 PEM (availablefrom DuPont Fuel Cells, Fayetteville, N.C., U.S.A.), for example, toallow for proton transport between the silver cathode 120 and thePlatinum(Pt)/carbon anode 110. The PEM is sandwiched between the cathode120 and anode 110 and eliminates the need for a supporting electrolytesolution.

After surface preparation, the silver cathode is treated with adsorbateby dipping into a solution containing any of numerous adsorbatemolecules that have previously shown photocatalytic behavior, such asiodine.

The 10% Pt/carbon catalyst of anode 110 serves as a traditional catalystfor the hydrogen oxidation side of the cell. In accordance with oneembodiment, the 10% Pt/carbon catalyst can be painted on one side of thePEM 130 and the carbon paper gas (hydrogen) diffusion layer is disposedon top of the painted side of the PEM 130. The opposite side of the PEM130 is then painted with a thin film of DuPont™ Nafion® PFSA(perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer) (also available from DuPont FuelCells, Fayetteville, N.C., U.S.A.) polymer dispersion and the silvermembrane cathode 120 is pressed into this dispersion. As depicted, thewhole layered structure is mounted in a cell 100 that permits laserirradiation of the silver membrane cathode.

A Spectra Physics Model 2020-05 argon ion laser, for example, can beused as a wavelength-selectable, directional light source for testingthe photocatalytic response of the silver membrane cathode. Thephotocatalytic behavior of the modified silver membrane can be confirmedin the potentiostatic mode of a Princeton Applied Research Model 263Apotentiostat/galvanostat. The assembled fuel cell 100 can then be testedin galvanostat mode whereupon the current/potential behavior can berecorded as a function of laser wavelength and power, surfacemodification, and reactant gas pressure.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of a fuel cell can beconstructed in accordance with the teachings herein. In accordance withone embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, a fuel cell system 400 can bearranged into a horizontal orientation whereby a plurality of individualneighboring sub cells 410 are simultaneously irradiated by a singlelight source 420. Each sub cell 410 includes an anode, a cathode, anelectrolyte (e.g., a PEM) and a supporting gas distribution system.Since such a fuel cell is expected to operate near room temperature, thebyproduct of the fuel cell will likely be liquid water. As such, apressurized drain tank 430 can be provided and/or a heater 440 can beprovided to vaporize the water byproduct to form steam and facilitatepassing it through an exhaust system.

The light source 420 can take on a variety of forms, including sunlight,arc and incandescent sources, and need not be a laser. In accordancewith one embodiment, the light source 420 can include a plurality offiber optic cables adapted and configured to illuminate the cathode.Such application of fiber optic light distribution can be utilized toretain a traditional stacked configuration of sub cells, instead of thehorizontal orientation discussed above. Also, a thin-film-transistor(TFT) display can also be employed. It will be understood that othertypes of lighting devices can be used, depending on the adsorbate used.For example, if the energy difference between the electronic states ofthe metal of the electrode and of the adsorbate is fairly small, lowerenergy light sources could be used, such as those operating in theinfrared range. As such, in certain metal-adsorbate combinations, even asuitably configured radiative heating element could provide sufficientenergy to drive the photocatalysis.

By way of further example, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of fuelcells 100 are arranged to form a stack 500. Each fuel cell 100 caninclude a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte. Alternatively, aplurality of horizontal units 400 can be arranged into a stack to obtaina higher output voltage.

The number of surface active sites that are photocatalytically activeappears to be tied to the number of Ag⁺ surface sites, referred to assilver adatoms or adclusters. The number of these active sites isdependent upon surface preparation and is probably limited to near 5-10%of the entire metal surface. This limitation is addressed because theoverwhelming economic benefit of silver allows the entire cathode to bea porous silver membrane (available from Sterlitech™ Corporation),compared to the limited dispersions of platinum on graphite. The silvermembrane provides an exceptionally large surface area, of which 5-10%will be photocatalytic following electrochemical roughening and additionof adsorbate. The utility of the silver membrane cathode extends beyondits economic advantage, simplifying the fuel cell design in spite of therequirement for light at the cathode.

There are many advantages that a photocatalytic fuel cell as describedherein presents over a conventional fuel cell. As mentioned above, aplatinum-catalyzed hydrogen fuel cell operates at moderate currentlevels at cell voltages close to +0.75 volts instead of thethermodynamic equilibrium cell voltage is +1.23 volts. This amounts toan overvoltage of −0.48 volts below the thermodynamic voltage, thuslimiting the efficiency to near 60%. However, when electrodes asdescribed herein are used in the place of a conventional cathode, thereis virtually no tendency for the voltage of the metal to wandernegatively, resulting in increased electrochemical efficiency of thecell, limited only by the oxidation potential of the metal used for thecathode. Platinum oxidizes at +1.18 Volts (vs. a normal hydrogenreference electrode: NHE). If gold is used as an electrode material, itis possible to operate the cell at the full voltage of 1.23 Volts, sincegold oxidizes at about 1.498 volts vs. NHE. Silver oxidizes justnegative of +0.80 Volts vs. NHE, near the same operating voltage ofconventional Pt-containing fuel cells, but holds a significant economicadvantage over platinum. Palladium oxidizes at +0.951 Volts vs. NHE andcan be used as a catalyst when configured to have a surface capable ofproducing surface enhanced Raman scattering from adsorbate molecules.

It will be understood that while a PEM fuel cell has been illustratedabove, electrodes made in accordance with the invention can be utilizedwith other types of fuel cells and hydrogen-containing fuels, including,for example, phosphoric acid fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, directmethanol fuel cells and the like. However, in higher temperatureapplications, it is believed that an organic adsorbate might decompose.However, inorganic adsorbates, such as iodine, may be more suitable foroperation at elevated temperatures, though the utility of any adsorbateis limited by the temperature at which thermal desorption occurs.

The methods, devices and systems of the present invention, as describedabove and shown in the drawings, provide for an electrode and a fuelcell with superior properties as described above. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various modifications and variations canbe made in the device and method of the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention include modifications and variationsthat are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An electrode, comprising an electrically conductive material having asurface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering ofincident light from an adsorbate material adsorbed on the surface of theelectrode, the adsorbate being substantially reducible and notsubstantially oxidizable.
 2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein thesurface is roughened to produce a plurality of adatoms or clusters ofadatoms of a metallic material.
 3. The electrode of claim 2, wherein themetallic material is selected from the group consisting of silver,osmium, palladium, iridium, platinum, gold, and alloys and mixturesthereof.
 4. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the adsorbate material isa reducible organic or inorganic molecule that requires more than oneelectron to fully reduce.
 5. The electrode of claim 4, wherein theadsorbate material is bis-1,2-(4-pyridyl)acetylene (BPA).
 6. Theelectrode of claim 4, wherein the adsorbate material is a halogen. 7.The electrode of claim 4 , wherein the adsorbate material is iodine. 8.A method of making an electrode, comprising: a) providing an electrodemade from an electrically conductive material, the electrode having asurface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering ofincident light when an adsorbate is applied thereto; b) applying theadsorbate to the surface of the electrode, the adsorbate beingsubstantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable.
 9. The methodof claim 8, further comprising roughening the surface of the electrodeto produce a plurality of adatoms or clusters of adatoms of a metallicmaterial.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the metallic material isselected from the group consisting of silver, osmium, palladium,iridium, platinum, gold, and alloys and mixtures thereof.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein the adsorbate material is a reducible organic orinorganic molecule that requires more than one electron to fully reduce.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the adsorbate material isbis-1,2-(4-pyridyl)acetylene (BPA).
 13. The method of claim 11, whereinthe adsorbate material is a halide.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinthe adsorbate material is iodine.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein thesurface is roughened by immersing the electrode in a halide solution andapplying electrical current across the metallic material.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the halide solution is a liquid chloride solution.17. The method of claim 9, wherein the roughened surface is produced bya process selected from the group consisting of nanofabrication,chemical vapor deposition, sputtering and plasma enhanced chemical vapordeposition.
 18. A method of producing electricity, comprising: a)providing a cathode made from an electrically conductive material, thecathode having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Ramanscattering of incident light from an adsorbate applied to the surface ofthe cathode, the adsorbate being substantially reducible and notsubstantially oxidizable; b) operably coupling the cathode to a firstportion of an electrolyte of an electrochemical fuel cell; c) operablycoupling an anode to a second portion of the electrolyte; d) exposingthe cathode to an oxygen source; e) exposing the anode to a fuel source;and f) irradiating the cathode so that electrical current flows acrossthe cathode in a steady state of operation.
 19. A fuel cell comprising;a) a membrane electrode assembly including: i) an electrolyte i) ananode operably coupled to the electrolyte; ii) a cathode operablycoupled to the electrolyte, the cathode made from an electricallyconductive material, the cathode having a surface capable of producingsurface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from an adsorbateapplied to the surface of the electrode, the adsorbate beingsubstantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable; and b) a lightsource adapted and configured to irradiate the cathode to cause a steadyflow of electrical current at the cathode when fuel and oxygen aresupplied to the membrane electrode assembly.